The news that George H.W Bush, 41st President of the United States passed away broke millions of hearts.

Many might not be over his death and some confessed how good he was as a man and as a friend.

Just recently, a nonprofit organization revealed that the late former president secretly sponsored a Filipino child for ten years.

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According to Compassion International, an organization that help children in poor communities through local churches, Bush sponsored a child named Timothy.

It all started when Bush attended a Christmas concert in Washington in 2001.

"Because the musicians were mostly Christian, they believed in our mission," according to Wess Stafford, the former president of Compassion International in an interview with CNN.

"During intermission, they would tell the audience about us, and ask them if they would like to sponsor a child,"

"All of the sudden, Mr. Bush, who was sitting only a few rows back and surrounded by security, raised his hand and asked for a pamphlet."

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He said the security was alarmed about that.

"His top security called me and said 'this doesn't surprise me coming from him, but if he's going to sponsor this kid, we need to make sure the boy doesn't know who his sponsor is.' So, he signed all his letters to Timothy as 'George Walker,'" he recalls.

But according to him, the security team was mainly concerned about Timothy's safety.

As soon as the sponsorship began Bush wrote a letter.

"Dear Timothy,

I want to be your new pen pal.

I am an old man, 77 years old, but I love kids; and though we have not met I love you already.

I live in Texas - I will write you from time to time - Good Luck. G. Walker"

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Due to security concerns, Stafford needs to screen each letter and he said it was no easy for him because the late former president began to provide informations.

"Timothy would send him hand drawings and told the President how much he liked art, so he sent over color pencils, sketch pads, and paint," Stafford said.

"I waited for my staff to go to the Philippines and send it with them. They would then bring it to the church Timothy was a part of, so he could collect his gifts."

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In one of his letters, Timothy thanked the "Mr. and Mrs. Walker" for not forgetting him.

"Dear Mr. & Mrs. Walker,

How are you? I hope you're in good condition.

I would like to thank you for not forgetting me. You're so nice and good.

God is so good to us. He gives us the body & will to get to where we want to go.

Thank you so much for the book, I like it very much."

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Though there are some informations that can reveal who the sponsor was, Timothy only knew who his real hero when he graduated from the program.

"After a while, my executive assistant, Angie Lathrop, took over the sponsorship, and after Timothy graduated at 17, she flew to the Philippines to meet him," Stafford said. "That's when she told him who his sponsor really was."

According to Stafford, Timothy couldn't believe that his sponsor was once a president of a nation and was very stunned!

That was the last time they heard from Timothy.

"We may not know where Timothy is, but we know he's now living a successful life," Stafford said.

We are very grateful to the late George H.W Bush for having a good heart. He became so close to Filipinos' hearts.